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1.26.2009

I'm off to Surf Camp in Calicoan, Samar. It's not like I'm really excited for surfing, since I'm not really sporty. I can barely even swim, much less surf! I'm just excited to see what the place has to offer, and I can't wait to share it with you guys. We'll see if I'm brave enough to take a few surfing lessons. Ciao!

Of all the trips I had last year, my most favorite one was our trip to Shanghai. I went there with a group of friends from work, and we had the best time in that beautiful city. It was a series of fortunate events amidst a few unfortunate ones:

Two of my friends got to celebrate their birthdays in Shanghai.

We explored the city on our own with the little Mandarin that we know. It was my first trip wherein I really felt the language barrier. The people there prefer to speak in their native tongue, and only few know how to speak English.

I loved how the city has progressed with its modern skyscrapers, yet managed to preserve its old and historical buildings as well.

The food was great! I wish the water was good as well. It was hard to get clean, drinking water in Shanghai.

Our flight back to Manila from Shanghai got cancelled because of bad weather, but we were still happy. We got to visit the places we didn't get to go to. ;)

Here's a quick summary of what I found in Shanghai. I hope I will get to go back there someday, and maybe have a side trip to other places in China as well.

1.25.2009

We arrived in Davao on a Friday on board a Cebu Pacific flight from Cebu to Davao. Since most of our friends were busy with work that day and could not accompany us, my friend and I decided to visit People's Park since it was only within walking distance from our dormitel, C5

The walking distance was a few blocks. We actually intended to go there by taxi, but most of the taxis were full. We approached a nice lady to ask for directions to the park, and she gladly helped us. She was very excited even. She told us she'd be happy to help tourists in Davao so we would keep on coming back. She drew a sketch of the way to People's Park on my little notebook.

We arrived in People's Park about 30 minutes later by foot. When we got there, a throng of people were lining up at the entrance. Most of them were students, and some were on a field trip that day.

of all the places I've visited in the Philippines, there are only a few parks that I know where people stay and linger. When we entered the park, I immediately saw how big and well-kept the place was. It was actually packed with people. Most of them are seated comfortably in nearby benches talking to their companions. Children were off to the playground to run around and play. Some were busy taking pics of the many sights around the park.

It is said that People's Park will soon become Davao's biggest landmark, and it's a site in progress. The budget for the development of People's Park is said to be Php71 million.

Upon entrance to the park, a big eagle sculpture greets the park's visitors. This is a sculpture of renowned Davao artist Kublai Milan, and the park showcases a lot of his works. It is easy to see why the eagle was chosen for the sculpture. Davao is home to the endangered Philippine eagle, and it's one of the many things that Davao locals are proud of.

Everyone seems to be enjoying their time at the park. Even ducks and geese are running around the park freely, openly mingling with the guests and kids at the playground.

I had fun taking pics at Davao People's Park. Most of them were about people enjoying their time at the park, like these two. It was drizzling a bit when I visited the park, and this couple surely didn't let a little rain intrude their sweet moment together.

1.19.2009

Everybody knows that Sinulog is Cebu's biggest festival. I was glad to have spent it on the streets with my friends. It hass been YEARS since I got to participate in the street activities, because for the past years I've chosen to be such a bore and I stayed home to avoid the crowd. I'm glad I decided to go out and watch Sinulog live this year. I had a lot of FUN!

1.09.2009

Here's a list of the 2009 Philippine Holidays, as declared by Proclamation 1699:

A. Regular Holidays

Maundy Thursday - April 9Good Friday - April 10Araw ng Kagitingan - April 6 (monday nearest to April 9)Labor Day - May 1 (Friday)Independence Day - June 12 (Friday)National Heroes Day - August 31 (last Monday of August)Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Monday)Christmas Day - December 25 (Friday)Rizal Day - December 30 (Wednesday)

1.07.2009

If there's one sport that Filipinos are so crazy about, it's probably basketball. Today, my team mate just revealed he had 3 different basketball uniforms on hand. Within this week alone, he's playing in a lot of basketball games in different teams.

Basketball in the Philippines is played practically everywhere. There's probably the neighborhood hoop near your house, a basketball court on the church grounds or school premises, and we all know everyone's hooked to the TV when NBA or PBA finals are up. College kids go to great lengths to cheer for their universities in the UAAP. Even my colleagues at the office set up Ateneo vs La Salle teams just to add more spice into their usual basketball games. How crazy about basketball is that?

When one travels around the world, do Filipinos play the same sport that other countries do? A quick search at the ever reliable Google delivered me some answers. Over at Ezine Articles, football/soccer is said to be the most popular sport in the world. The next most popular sport is all about cricket. This seems to be popular in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and India for Asia. The third most popular sport is tennis. My mom will hog the TV once Federer is on in the latest Grand Slam tennis tournament. Tennis is said to be popular in the richer countries like US, Australia and Europe. There are only a few Asians that have made it to the major tennis tournaments.

I wish Filipinos were more successful in sports. I hope someday we'll also be recognized for basketball as much as the world recognizes Manny Pacquiao for boxing.

1.06.2009

Here are some hotels to check out if you're planning to come here for Sinulog celebrations next week. Most of them might be fully booked already, but it wouldn't hurt to ask or check it out for next year's Sinulog festival! :)

It's only a few weeks to go until Sinulog, the biggest and most-awaited festival in Cebu. This festival honors the Sto. Nino, patron of the city of Cebu. The festivities will start January 9 with a formal kick-off/launch, but the biggest celebration will be on January 17 with the Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Nino and January 18 for the Sinulog 2009 Grand Parade.

Every year, the Sinulog Dancing Competition is held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) in Abellana and tickets are already available since last Friday. Those who want to get seats for the grandstand show could buy them at the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) office, even during weekends until 7pm. Tickets range from Php350 to Php450, while an area alloted for balikbayans only have tickets priced at Php550 each.

Tickets are only available at the SFI office in Cebu City Sports Center, so watch out for scalpers who sell you tickets elsewhere.